Animals are precious creatures, especially when they are our pets. Because of the strong ties we have to them, who we select as our veterinarian can be more important than who we choose as our own doctor. Veterinary practices know this, which is why the requirements for the hiring process for a veterinarian are so important to understand and follow.
When Veterinary practices hire veterinarians they need to keep the needs of their clients (both the humans and their pets) in mind as they recruit and interview qualified applicants. The requirements for the hiring process for a veterinarian include:
- Resume Review
- Phone and In-Person Interviews
- Background and Reference Checks
- Acceptance
Resume Review:
It may take up to three months to accumulate a collection of qualified resumes. When reviewing resumes, it is critical that an applicant have a completed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited college or university. Longevity, consistency, and diversity of experience may also be important depending on the needs of the practice.
Phone and In-Person Interviews:
Once the Veterinary practice has selected resumes for the position they need to fill, the next step is the interview process. Most practices begin interviewing candidates by phone. The phone interview will often focus on the candidate’s educational and employment background as well as their technical knowledge. Most questions will be general in nature as rapport is established and interviewer determines whether the candidate will be a good fit.
If the phone interview is successful, then the applicant will be brought in for an in-person interview. The in-person interview will determine the candidate’s ability to build rapport with the staff and allow the candidate to demonstrate competency with the animals.
Background and Reference Checks:
Due to the sensitive nature of the position, background and reference checks are requirements for the hiring process for a veterinarian. Background checks are often outsourced and may include both criminal and credit investigations.
Reference checks verify the start and end dates plus salaries of previous employment. Occasionally, reference checks will garner more subjective information about a person’s work history such as opinions about their work ethic and their previous employer’s willingness to work with them again.
Acceptance:
Once the background and reference checks have been completed and the interview process is deemed successful, the applicant is provided an offer to join the Veterinary practice. The acceptance letter will include a date of hire, salary, bonuses if applicable, benefit details, and any relocation assistance. Many Veterinary practices hold welcoming parties or open houses to celebrate the acceptance of the new Veterinarian and introduce the new team member to their clients.
Upon acceptance, the requirements for the hiring process for a veterinarian have been fulfilled. The Veterinarian is now a member of the practice and immediately begins building relationships with the team, the customers, and most importantly, the animals.

